Record changer mechanism



June 2,- 1953 R. A. BEcwAR l RECORD CHANGER MECHANISM Filed May 1,. 194e 5 Stiens-sheet 1 June 2., 1953 v R A, B'ECWAR' 2,640,704

l RECORD CHANGER MECHNISM Filed may 1, 1946 l 5 sheets-sheet 2 In IWI" FIG. 3

' INVENTOR. RUDOLPH A. BEC WAR ATT'Ys June 2, 1953 R. A. BEC-WAR RECORD CHANGER Mrzcmmrsm` 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May l, 1946 INVENTR. Ig/JDOLPH A. BECWAR S .Y n A June 2, 1953 R. A. BECWAR l 'I 2,640,704

RECORD CHANGER MECHANISM l Filed May 1, 194e v 5 sheets-sheet 4 JNVENToR. RUDOLPH A. BECWAR ATT'YS Patented June 2, 1953 -fuNirEp fsmres .fMrENT omer RECORDTCHANGER .MECHANISM 'Rudlolph A...ec.war, .':Berwymv i111., :.assignorwto '.-Motorola, Inc.,-a corporation of Iliinois ApplicationMayl, 1946, Serial No..`666,490

(Chime-10) 1.7 Claims This invention Irelatesfgenerally to automatic 4"phonograph devices'and moreparticularlyto a -record:changer mechanism adapted `to automati- `y`callychange a plurality-of records which are Aplayedl in succession. `Specically, the inventionis 4an `improvement on 'my prior` U.V S. YLetters 4*Patents 2,293,703 and "253285703, both assigned to fthe -same `assignee as `the 'presentapplication 'Automaticy phonograph devices customarilyin- `-\-'cludecarn and vlever I mechanisms for controlling a record changing cycle. -practiceto-employ a rather-elaborate cam' Wheel having "onefor Y more cam surfacesythe contours y"of-'Which must `-belaccurately formed and ltimed ywthrelation -toy onev another for successively controlling the-movementsoi atone orpick-uparm It has been common fand -a=-recordrelease mechanism. The various scam surfaces on' lthe l-camvvheel heretofore operated to'performthese'controlfunctions through one or *more levers connected'to "the tonev or pick-up arm and the record *release mechanism. Such 'f mechanisms -have usually been very complieated and the adjustment thereofrhas'. fbeen `quite-fcritical. vIn-shipping vor in other rough .handling ofthe-mechanism,the-critical--relation- Aships f-between :the :various levers and'fcamsfwere often disturbed with the resultant faultyoper- `ation of the mechanism. It is very desirable to iprovide a record changermechanism foran au- "=tomatic `phonograph which inherentlydoes not vincludev delicate apparatus which can be dam- `4aged even whensubjected to normal use-by un- -skilled operators.

In prior art record changers, it was customary andare subject to injury. Itwould'be desirable to provide a recordchanger mechanism in which Vvcomplicated latching arrangements for holding 'the vfrictiondrive means -for the record changer l=mechanismirom engagement with the turntable K' can be completely eliminated.

:Inautomatic phonographs, it is Ydesirable for `the 'turntablei to operate at aconstant velocity soigthatthe'wow percentage is maintained at a i'minimum. "When a light A,turntable'is employed,

it vdoesnothave sufficient momentum .'to "carry 'it over'v friction peaks vv'l'iichtendtodecreasectlie `.12 velocity Land as a f-result; `undesimble slowing down of the turntable occurs. 1t Wouldbetde- `/sirabler-to "provide an automatic phonograph in "Whichthe record -changer mechanism inherently "requires a `relatively heavy turntable, .vvhereby the turntable serves greatly-.to reduce.\thef-Wow -percentage 'and' thereby-f. improves the "operating characteristics of `the phonograph.

Accordingly; it' is vanv obj ectl oifthepresent-.inventionlto provide a` recordfchanger mechanism v"fortan automaticphonographfwhich has none of the 'disadvantages Lenumerated above.

It is another object'iofthe presentinvention to provi-de van Vimproved lrecordchan-ger'mechanism `for an automaticv phonograph.

Yet `'another object of thepresent invention is 'to lprovide for 4an `automatic phonograph-fran improved `record "changer lmechanism controlled by aA spiral cam integrally formed lwith" the vturntable and arranged on the underl sidefthereof.

"'It is a'further' objectpffthe'present invention to provide a record `changerl'mechanism forfan automatic phonographY Which inherently' requires a heavy turntablewhereby the"vvovv.percentage `oi the Lautomatic phonograph isreduc'edto-a minimum.

Still afurther object of the.present,invention Yis..to `.provide an. improved record .changer .mech- ...anism .which is .simple in .design,icompact..and

.sturdy -in..constructionrcomprised of aminimum .number .oi parts which. require Yadjustment and t ,-\vhich..is ,eicient-.ancl ...positive in operation.

. Another object of `the present `invention..:ls..to

provide a record, changer.mechanism y.in .which ...the lturntable. is provided .with apair of .integral .'reversely directed vspiral 4 grooves Whichare .effec- 1 :tive I during the Y record f changing lcycleftonmove ,.:anzfarm rstz in: one rdirection and: then-.zin the other tolcontrol not only the record: releaserme'chanism rbutalso' `they @toneor .pick .up zarm.

1 fltrifs :the-furtherpbject .of `the .present invention fato provide 'a ereco'rdf .changer nmechanismsfor :an

automatic phonographA employingaf.-velocityY .trip `arrangement for 'rendering a :spiral groove .far-

' `vrangementxon fthe underside; ofithephono'graph lturntable eirectivetofl control therecord 'changing cycle.

.` "Further Aobjects vand advantages of-'1thezpresent invention Iwill: become f apparent as" ther-'following descriptionproceeds fandl the features'- of.a novelty A vwhich# characterizethisinvention will-'be pointed l out with npalrticularity --inf the claims annexed '-to "'and'forming va partfofvl this specification.

*For afbetter y-un`derstan'dingfofY the lpresent finvention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which;

Fig. 1 is the top plan view of an automatic phonograph embodying the record changing mechanism of the present invention with a 12 inch record shown in playing position on the turntable and with the records removed from the record stack;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1 but modified to show the record release mechanism in the position it assumes midway through the record changing cycle and with the record stack in position;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the portion of the automatic phonograph shown in Fig. 1 and drawn to the same scale as in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4 4 of Figs. 1 and 3, assuming that Fig. 3 is inverted so as to be properly positioned with reference to Fig. 1, modified to show the record stack in position but with no record on the turntable.

Fig. 5 is a view of the underside of the turntable showing the pair of reversely directed spiral grooves providing the spiral cams which are integral with the turntable;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 3 with the record changing mechanism in the normal position prior to the beginning of the record changing cycle;

Fig. 7 is a partial view of Fig. 6 showing the record changing mechanism in the position assumed following actuation of the velocity trip device when the spiral cams are rendered effective to control the record changing cycle;

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 6 except that the parts are shown in the positions which they assume at an intermediate instant during the record changing cycles;

' Fig. 94 is a perspective View of the velocity trip lever employed in the record changing mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of Fig. 8, and

Fig. 11 is a View showing certain details of a portion of the record changing mechanism.

The present invention contemplates the use of disk type records wherein the unplayed records are stacked in a supported position above the turntable of the phonograph or like machine, means being provided for successively releasing the lowermost or bottom record in the stack of unplayed records to provide for its falling into a playing position on the turntable. A stationary support for the record stack is provided beyond the circumference of the turn- -table and this stationary support is adjustable so that it may be used equally well with either 10 inch or 12 inch records. This adjustable supporting means automatically controls the angular return movement of the tone or pick up arm in correspondence with the size of the record on the turntable so that the tone arm is set down at the beginning of the record regardless of Whether 10 inch records or 12 inch records are being played. A pair of reversely directed spiral grooves defining control cams on the underside of the turntable, one a lead-in cam, the other a lead-out cam, control the record changing cycle by causing a main control arm to pivot rst 1n Yone direction and then in the other, this main control arm being effective to operate the record release mechanism and also to move the tone or pick up arm first away from the record which 4 has been played so that a new record may be dropped onto the turntable and then back into the correct playing position whether a 10 inch or a l2 inch record is to be played.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated the usual top or mounting plate I0, turntable I I, and tone or pick up arm I2 for an automatic phonograph or like machine. The top plate I0 illustrated as a plate of sheet material in the drawings is preferably a die casting horizontally positioned as of course is also the turntable II. The turntable is illustrated as being driven by a low voltage induction motor I3 suitably supported from the plate I0 which motor is provided with a friction wheel I4 which is in frictional engagement with the skirt or rim I5 of the turntable Il. The turntable II is also provided with a hub I6 integrally formed therewith as is best shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 6, which hub is provided with a lug or dog I1, the purpose of which will become apparent as the following description proceeds. The hub I6 of the turntable is rotatable about a bushing record post I8 which is fastened to the mounting plate I0 as by clamping the plate I0 between a shoulder I8 of post I8 and a clamping nut I9, a suitable washer 2B being interposed if desired. To reduce the rotating friction, a plurality of ball bearings 2l are preferably retained between a turntable bearing 22 and a thrust bearing 23 at the bottom end of the hub I6 for supporting the weight of the turntable. In order to support the upper end of the hub I6 of the turntable Il, a recess is provided in hub I6 to, accommodate a porous bronze bearing 24 which engages the outer circumference of the bushing record post I8. The upper end of the bushing record post I8 is provided with a portion of reduced diameter over which is tted a record post 25, preferably formed of seamless tubing and fastened to the bushing record post I8 as by a press t. A hollow rotatable shaft 26 is disposed within the record post 25 and the bushing record post I8 which latter post is provided with an off-center opening to accommodate shaft 26, the purpose of which will become apparent from the following description.

In accordance with the present invention, the turntable I I is provided on the underside thereof with a pair of oppositely directed spiral grooves 29 and 3i) best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The spiral groove 29 will be referred to hereinafter as the lead-out cam 29, while the spiral groove 30 will be referred to hereinafter as the lead-in cam 30 since as will become apparent from the following description, they perform functions which cause a main control arm to be led out from the center to the outside of the turntable or to be led in from the outside of the turntable to the center respectively. The spiral groove 29, which is a spiral of increasing diameter starting at the center of the turntable II joins the spiral groove 30 which is a spiral of decreasing diameter starting at the outside oi' the turntable i I at a section intermediate the hub I5 and the rim or skirt I5 of the turntable II indicated at 3I in Fig. 5 of the drawings, which section of groove 3l is common to both groove 29 and groove 3B. The raised portions defining the edges of the grooves 29 and 3U on either side of the common section or portion 3l of these grooves come together to form a wide raised portion 32, the beginning of which may be considered the end of both the lead-out cam 29 and the lead-in cam 30. A suitable inaeeorzon oline 33,best shownr in Figs .5. of :the drawings connectsl Ithe `:wide raised` nportion; 32 with the groove section 3 lI :common toxboth the :lead-put; cam'.L 29 :"andi the .i :lead-in. carn- 130; This yincline. 33:.performsyan: important ,3 control function.. as willbe .described hereinafterr'; Preferably; turni-:- tableili is ,die-cast so that all the parts thereofi: suchxasfthe spirales-ms `29 and 53s,.; the ihub..1 l 6,! the'flugli l, and 'therim or Lskirt l o :arefon'ev tegralfunit..` Such a. die cast turntable. .includ..` ng-fthe-cams 2 fand 3G `provides a: Vfairly Jheavy' turntable. construction which .is yvery desirable" from.l the-:standpointoftheoperation of the.i automatic 'phonograph' embodying Athe present invention since the substantial mass thereoflwhenrotated.. at normal .speed by `:motori 3,.-will have f suiiicientmomentumto earry'it over high fric-l tion -peaks which .might bel applied` thereto: by various parts of the associated'mechanism v-witha` i out" anynoticeable decrease in velocity ythereby 5 greatly reducing th'eswow percentage olf-*the phonograph;

Inl order that the lead-out `and lead-inv camsv 2&3v and 3U respectively maybe rendered effective to controltherecordchanging cycle of the auto-'H maticfphonograph, there is provided in y'accorclance" with the present invention a `main armz 35'whichis pivotal-ly mounted to thea-mounting plate I 0 of the automatic phonograph by "suitable means indicated attlj Main arm 3? -coin-- prises a central portion- 35o-which isolose to and substantiallyparallel with the plate til,- a down-A wardly extending angular Aportion v36h connected to'oneendfofA portionI 35a, ahorizontal portionV 36o connected to portion tot which Vin. turn is connecte'dito an arcuateportion 35d including an" inclinedv portion/36e interconnecting portions, 36o 'and VEhi'"which-inclined `portion 35e l functions as the tone or pick-up arm raise cam. Connected tothe'other kend of the portion 36a or the main 'control arm 35 and-extending downwardly at vsubstantially a right angletherewith is a portion 363i connected to a portion Sd which is .substantially parallel tothe portion-36a. A shallow notch Sith isprovided 'in the end of portion 35g of the main controlarm"35;gwhile a ,l'loi'izcntally"positioned` tab VStk isJ provided* adjacent the portion Stb and is-preferably1 punched outfrom the angulanpcrtion 36o* At" the end ofV the portionla of the main `control armililadjacent the portion S'f thereof, therey are provided a pairof upwardlyextending'in-- tegralfsupporting,members 38 and 39 pivotallyj supporting a cam follower 'itil 'on a pivot pin 43' whichlextends through'suitable openings in membersrand 39.

Th'ecam follower to is indicated as aU-shaped member having fastened to either "end thereof apair', of upwardl'y extending pins. 4l' andA 42 respectively'.l The pin Lil is adapted to cooperate with1the .spiral lead-out cam29," while `the pin'4 2. isadapted to cooperate with the spiral leadin ,camtiljj Attached "to the cam follower 'is `a spring holding arm, MI A leaf spring 45 is interposed" between an extension 44' of the spring'holdingrarm. it and ja member ttsupported on the main. arm. 36.1 This lead spring tloactsjasanr overfcenter spring causing the cam follower it tolbe positionedV either with the pin t! moved toward the spiral lead-out cam 29pm-the under-y sidc"of"`th"eturntableIl andthe pino-2 raised away from the lead-"in cam 30 Vas lshownin solid' lines in Fig;l 6 r4of 'ther drawings, or as shownfin' dotted linesin Fig. ioffthe ydrawingswhere the' camizifollowerl 40 Vsis..-:pivoted. .ini .the opposite di# f gaged with r. the lead-out.y cam '..ZQJ'will cause-the" cam followeritiand. consequently the portionfof'f" engages the Yincline-133 and continued rotatiorr" off.` vthe turntable causes pin" 4 l to move 'fupfthe incline 33 thereby pivotingfcam follower "until" over center l' spring klo causes lcarn follower VMJ-7- whichhas moved so that pin t2 isl near'theTi'n'r.l

lt'ofthe-turntableto pivot'- about pin 43,1whereb`yi pin #i2 is-inovedy into engagement 'withy leadi-nf cam 3i) 'as is shown in' dotted linessin'r Figfof" they v drawings-. function withv respect topin42 when it has* moved to Athe 'end lofspiral groove e36! Efrom th'e-f dottedpositionshcwnin Fig. 6 of the-drawings thereby causing camfollower fl-tlto pivot about pin-43 -in' a clockwise direction as viewedinf Flgso' that overfcenter spring fl'biasespin' [il toward the underside Vof 4the turntableand l pin'l away 'from the lunderside of the turntablef lt is apparent lfronrthe above descripticn'that' the incline 33 rotates the cam follower itl) aboutn its pivot fit when either pin l or pin '42"reaches the end of its associated spiral groove" 29' o1'` 3Q' `v respectively.

pivotablemovement of camvfollower ll'aboutf its pin 43, a pair' of stop members t? 'andi-fil?" are provided 'on main arm The stop member.. 4l" limite-the movement of pin il toward lead" out cam 2t on the underside of turntable .l i whil'e the stop member lllliinlts .the movement ofv pin.

i2 toward the lead-'in camo@ onv the underside;

of the turntable l When the cam follower All is in the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the

f spiral grooves 2S and 36"'are ineiiective to-.cause movement of the main arm 36.' Suitable means; such as a detent d8a is ,providedto engage the notch 35h in the arm 'Soto hcldthe arm 36' against a stop member lior the like 'speciu'sall'yiA shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings as a .post extend-"i ing- ,from the plate 1D whereby they cam follower'. M and the arm 36 remainin the solid line posif tions showniin 'Figf of vthe vdrawings' at "all tintesv except duringthe record changing' cycleas willE be described hereinafter.` A 'second 'detentntb m'ayals'o'be 'provided to engage notch ttwhenV thev main arm 36 v'has moved tothe 'dotted posi-r tion' shown in Fig.` 6 jof the drawingstoY holdthe arm in this yposition momentarily untilfoam fol#- lower Ml has pvoted so that Apin 42 is -engagea'bleY with'lead-in4 cam '3o.

With the arrangement describedthus far,` it yisapparent that if suitablemeans are-provided'for moving larm 36a Ishort'distance `away' from stopf Incline l33 `performs asimilar`A En other words, incline. 33"' selectively controls the position of "camfollower' Il@ with reference to: whether `lead'-"out"cam"'29 cam 29 will be rendered effective, to cause arm 36 to move in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawings until the incline 33 causes cam follower 40 to pivot about its pin 43, whereupon the leading cam 36 becomes effective to move the arm 36 back to its initial position against stop 46. In accordance with the present invention, this movement of arm 36 is used to control and operate all the necessary devices during a record changing cycle. In the operation of record changing mechanisms for automatic .phonographa it is well known that when a recording has been played, it is necessary to lift the tone or pick-up arm from the record and move it to one side so that a new record may be moved into position whereupon the tone arm is returned. In other words, upon the completion of playing of a record, the tone arm is both lifted and moved outwardly from the played record before a new record is put into playing position. The means in the present invention for accomplishing this predetermined operation of the tone arm is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings and as has been pointed out above, is controlled solely in response to the cyclic movement of main control arm 36 during a record changing operation.

The tone arm or 'pick-up unit l2 is supported on a rotatable shaft 5I extending through the mounting plate i of the automatic phonograph. A suitable member 50 may be pro-vided to act as a guide and support for the shaft I. To prevent damage to the mechanism in the event the tone arm is grasped manually and moved about its `pivotal support it is preferably xed to tone arm shaft 5I by means of a friction clutch arrangement comprising members 52 and 53 which are biased into clutching engagement by means of a spring 54. The clutch member 52 is clamped to shaft 5l by suitable means such as clamping bolts 55 while the cooperating clutch member 53 is suitably fastened to the tone arm i2. An adjusting screw 55 is provided in member 52. With this arrangement the tone arm I2 may be rotated relative to the shaft 5i if a predetermined force is applied thereto while for some reason or other shaft 5l is prevented from rotating therewith. Fixed to the shaft 5l for rotation therewith at a point below the top mounting plate l0 of the automatic phonograph is a secondary tone arm lever 56 which is provided with a downwardly extending pin 51 which extends into the path of movement of the portion 36e of the main control arm 36. Secondary tone arm lever 56 is provided with an opening through which a selector arm pin 59 to be described in greater detail hereinafter extends, which selector arm pin is reciprocally removable therethrough. In addition to the secondary tone arm lever 56 which is fixed to the shaft 5 l, there is also provided a friction arm 60 which is frictionally related to tone arm shaft 5I so as to rotate therewith if no force is applied thereto to prevent such action. A suitable friction washer 6l formed of Bakelite or the like and a spring washer 62 provide the desired friction between friction arm 60 and the tone arm shaft 5I. Friction arm 60 is provided with a downwardly extending vpin 63, the purpose of which will be lpointed out in the description included hereinafter.

In order to raise the tone arm from the played record which is substantially the rst step in a record changing cycle, there is provided a tone arm raise pin 65 which extends through a central opening in the tone arm shaft 5 l. The raise pin 65 is not only rotatable with the shaft 5I but is also vertically movable relative thereto. The upper end 65 of the tone arm raise pin 65 is adapted for operative engagement with the tone or .pick-up arm I2 so that lifting or raising of the pin 65 in a vertical direction lifts the pick-up arm from a record which is in playing position. Lowering of the raise pin 65 on the other hand lowers the pick-up unit or tone arm. The lower end of tone arm raise `pin 65 is in engagement with the arcuate extension 35d of the main control arm 36. When the main control arm 36 rst begins to operate by rotating in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the tone arm raise pin 65 moves up the incline 36e so that the tone arm or pick-up unit l2 is lifted from the record in playing position on the turntable. Continued swinging movement of the main arm 36 in this counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawings causes the portion 36e thereof toengage the downwardly extending pin 57 fastened lto the secondary tone arm lever 56, thereby rotating the tone arm shaft 5l and consequently moving the tone arm or pick-up unit l2 to one side of the turntable so that a new record may be dropped into playing position. The tone arm raise pin 55 also rotates as the tone arm t2 rotates since the upper portion 65 extends through a member 61 fastened to the clutch member 53. This member 6l is provided with a slotted opening to permit vertical movement of the tone arm raise pin 65. In addition, the selector arm pin 59 described above, is held in .position in the opening in the secondary tone arm lever 56 by means of a relatively large spring washer 63 which is xed to a hub member 69 and fastened by suitable means such as a set screw 'i0 to the tone arm raise pin 65. A compression spring ii interposed between the head of selector arm pin 59 and the secondary tone arm lever 56 normally b-iases pin 59 downwardly against washer 68 to the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the purpose of which will be brought out later in this description. Washer 68 is free to rotate relative to .pin 59 whereby the relative positions of the tone arm raise pin 65 and the tone arm shaft 5l may be adjusted through operation of adjusting screw 55 without loosening the set screw '16.

In addition to raising the tone arm or pick-up unit i2 and moving it to one side of the turntable so that a new record may be moved to the playing position, it is also necessary to provide means for returning the tone or pick-up arm to the initial playing position at the beginning of the record, which position will vary in dependence upon whether a l0 inch or 12 inch record is moved to the playing position. To accomplish this return movement of the tone arm, there is pro vided a U-shaped selector member 'I3 ,pivotably mounted to the top or mounting plate Ill as indicated at 1li. The U-shaped selector member 13, is biased by means of a spring 'i5 connected to one arm portion 13a thereof so that an upwardly extending integral portion 'I3a thereof is moved into engagement with a selector disk i6 pivotally mounted as indicated at 1i. Also a downwardly extending portion T3a of the arm portion 13a extends into the path of movement of the tab 36k of the main control arm 36 as is best shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings so that movement of the main control arm 36 during the first half of its cycle moves the selector member 13 against the bias of spring 15. Disk T5 is eccentrically mounted and is adapted to assume two predetermined amende..

a i positions which: aree. controlled by va spring selector-'arm 'Ihaving an embossed` detent portion 79 adapted to move into vone orv the other ofa pair of. openings 80 in selector disk` 76 whereby it is held in one of two predetermined positions. The other arm '13b of the U-shapedk selector' member 73 has a' portion includinga groove 735D which is adapted' to beengaged with selector armpin59f when the tone arm raise pin 65 and consequently' the pin 59 are moved to their uppermost `positions'. When the main control arm 35 has moved in acounterclockwise' direction, asviewed in Fig. 3v of the drawings, to the maximum extent so that the lead-in cam 30 is rendered eiective to return main control arm 36'to itsiposition against'stop 48; pin 57 duringthe return movement'of: arm 36' is no longer engagedby the portion 36o/'of the main arm 36. Consequently, during the return movement'of main arrr. 36"- and while the tone arm I2 is still in the raised position, spring 75 biases the selector member lwi'n'a counterclockwise direction as viewed' in Fig. 3` oithe drawings with-the result that pin fengaged in the groove I-3b thereoffis moved and consequently the tone arm is rotated until the upwardly extending portion 73a, of the selector member has ymoved against selector disk 753 Dependingv upon in which of its'twov predetermined positions the selector disk I6 happens to be, the tone arm' is re'- turned to its initial playing position for either a l10 inch'or l2 inch record. As shown in' Fig. 3 of the drawings, the selector disk` 76 is set for playingl al 12 inch record but if itwere rotated so that the aperture 8B therein visible iny Fig. 3 of the drawings were engaged by the embosseddetent` 79'i of the spring selector 78; the selector member 73\ would movev -still farther under thev bias of spring-75 with the consequent movement of the tone arm farther toward the center of the turntable I I to the starting' point of a 10 inch record; the main arm- 36 returnsto its initial position against the stop 48 that the tone arm raise'pin 65' moves down the incline 36e` whereby the tone arm or pick-up unitl I2# is lowered-into playing engagement with the record on turntable EI.

Another purpose-of the spring washer 68 which permits pin 59 to move downwardly a predetermined amount is to take care of the situation where-the tone arm I2-has been moved whenl thek phonograph is not being operated-so that the pin 59-is underneath the arm 73h of the `selector member 73. Ii the record Ichanging cycle is nowin'- itiated 'so that the pin dmoves'upwardly with the'vtone'arm raise pin 65, against'the underside of4v arm 73h,- it will not jam the mechanism'lout will be depressed toV deflect washer 68 until the` operationhas-proceeded'to the point where the portion 36k of the main arm 3S engages extension 73"a of the selector member 73 to drivel the selector member 73 until the groove 73'?) in the arm 73h" is inline with the pin 59 whereupon the spring washer 68 and springI 7lVr will move pin 59 upwardly into its controlling position with the endV thereof' engaging with the groove 73'?) in the selectormember 73;

In. order to-insure that'theirnain'A controlarm 36 has the horizontalpor-tions thereoffalwaysmaintained` in a horizontal position, itmaybefdesirable tok provide suitablemeanssuchasa plural-- ity otA wheels indicatedv at 82A rotatably'supported by' suitable pins 33 fasten-edtoithevertical'pore tion Si'ifo the.' main arm 3-.- One of thewheels 82 has -been'removed in-Fig, 4 of. the-drawings in order :more clearly to"` illustrate the' parts of the" It will be understood that just beforel 10i recordL changing mechanism. The wheels areA in. engagement with the top or. mounting rplate |01 and-alsovin engagement with a member 85 inthe form of an arcuate track supported from topor mounting plate Ill butY spaced therefrom-:by `suit-V in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

As is disclosed in my prior patents referred to:` above, a stack of unpiayed records, generally cles-' ignated at 88" in Figs. 2 and 4 is supported abovethe turntable at their centers on the tubular'stationarycentering pin or record post 25'whi`ch ex-f tends upwardly from the turntable i If .and atv their peripheries by an edge support comprisingl a pedestal 39 extending upwardly from the mounting plate i0 and having a record support'- ing ledgev 90' at its upper end. The record sup-,- porting ledge 9U is oiTset with respect tofthie I. pedestal 89 and is rotatable through substantially degrees to edge supporting' positionsl for` either a stack of 10 inch or 12 inch recordsytheposition of the ledge GIB for12 inch records beingshown in solid lines in Figs. 1, 2, and 4 of the drawings, with its position for supporting 10`inch` records being shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 as' is also a 10 inch record. The selector' disk 75 de"- scribed above is rotatable with the ledge Qland" is connected thereto by suitable means not shown; It will now be apparent that the position vof selector disk 75 which is r-otatable with the' ledge'lll depends uponfwhether the'ledge 9B is positioned for supporting either 10" inch or 12 inch records. A 'suitable weight 9i pivotably mounted to ledgeVv Ill is provided to press downwardly on the record" stack 88'. It will be'apparent that this weight.' may be employed as a control member to. stop'v the automatic phonograph when all ofv the'rec-v ords have been transferred to the turntable and" played;

The hollow shaft 26, described above, an'd rotatable in the eccentric bore within the record" post bushing I8 forms an essential portion of a record ejectorl unit to be described hereinafter... Mounted on the upper end of the shaft 2t is an ejector eccentric' portion 93. This eccentric ejector portion 93 is adapte-d to be rotated withy shaft 26 so as to be moved into a position con-- centric with record post "as is shown in Fig. 4

. ofthe drawings or out of the position concentric" shaft alla is normally mounted on the record post 25'above eccentric 93 with the stem Bda extend'- ing through hollow shaft t5." Cap 'Siti is heldstationary by meansof a bracket Mb fasten'edto'- any stationary portion'r of the apparatus engag'' ing the end of stem Silla'extendingout 'of the" lower--` end of the hollow sh'aftEfi` asis'shown inr Figfi of the' drawings.

drawings where it is noylonger concentric with the record post Z5, it is then concentric withzthe-l adjoining' edge' oi capl 9d and the positioning tongue 94".

When the' eccentric ejectorv 93.: is rotated to the position shown in Fig: 2 of' the:

As is-best shown inv Fig. l1 of-theT drawings the positioning tongue gli" is slidablyf 11 slot Bd'a and is held in position in cap 94 by pins 94e extending through the slot Sit'c. In its normal lower position shown in solid lines in Fig. ll of the drawings the tongue 94 causes lateral movement of a record slipped over cap 94 from the top. When a record is slipped over cap from the bottom tongue 90 moves to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings so as not to interfere with the removal of the record. The stack of records 88 positioned about cap 94 are aligned for support at their centers on the eccentric ejector 93, which portion is normally positioned concentric with the record post 25. With the records thus supported at their centers on eccentric ejector 03, and at their peripheries by ledge 90, rotation of the eccentric ejector 93 from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 2 where it is out of concentricity with the record post 25, permits the lowermost record of the stack 80 to drop around the eccentric ejector 93 and on top of the bearing member 25 formed at the upper end of record post 25 which position is clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Continued rotation of the eccentric ejector 93 through a full 360 degrees from the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings causes the lowermost record of the record stack 88 to be moved to the right as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings so that the edge or periphery thereof drops free of the ledge S0. Also, since the eccentric ejector 93 moves back into concentricity with the record post 25, this bottom record slides down the record post 25 into playing position on the turntable H. The record which is now the bottom record of the record stack 88 is again resting on the eccentric ejector 93 and its release into a playing position is accomplished in the same manner as described above. Upon completion of the playing of all of the records in the record stack 88. it will be understood that these records will have moved down onto the turntable il. All of the played records may be simultaneously removed from the turntable without any interference from the record release mechanism heretofore described since the tongue 94' moves to the dotted position shown in Fig. 1l of the drawings merely in response to removal of the records.

From the above description, it will be apparent that the main control arm 3G in its cycling movement, as controlled by the lead-out and lead-in cams 29 and 30 respectively, must also control the record release mechanism in timed sequence with the tone arm control mechanism described above. As is best shown in Figs. 4 and 6 of the drawings, the shaft 26 which rotatably controls the ejector mechanism, extends through the hub I0 of the turntable and has fastened in fixed relationship therewith at its lower end a ratchet member |00. Ratchet member |00 is engageable with a cooperating ratchet member |04 which has integrally formed thereon a gear wheel |02. Ratchet member |0| and its integral associated gear |02 are rotatable about the shaft 20 and when the ratchet members |00 and |0| are in engagement, rotation of gear E02 in a clockwise direction as viewed from the top of Fig. 6 of the drawings will cause rotation of the shaft 20. A suitable spring |03 is provided to bias the ratchet membersy into engagement. Although these ratchet members have been illustrated as provided with a plurality of interengaging teeth, it should be understood that a ratchet employing a single tooth may be preferable as will become apparent from the following description.

In order to rotate shaft 26 in response to movement of main control arm 30, there is provided a gear segment |00 best shown in Figs. 3 and 8 of the drawings. This gear segment |04 is pivotably mounted as indicated at |05 to the portion 30g of the main control arm 3B. A suitable post |06 (Fig. 3 of the drawings) extending downwardly from the bottom side of the mounting plate |0 causes the gear segment |04 to engage the teeth of gear |02 throughout the cyclic movement of the arm 30. When the main control arm 3G moves in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawings, from its position against stop 48 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the gear segment |04 rotates gear 0-2 and consequently, shaft 26 through substantially 360 degrees. It is apparent that this rotation of shaft 26 causes the record release mechanism to perform its function of moving a new record to the record playing position. Consequently, when the arm 38 moves back to its original position, it is undesirable for shaft 2B to rotate since otherwise a second record would be released by the record release mechanism. It is for this reason that the ratchet device comprising members |00 and I 0| is provided whereby the ratchet portion |01 may rotate with gear |02 without rotating ratchet |00 fixed to shaft 20. To prevent the fixed ratchet portion |00 from rotating, it is provided with an extension |08 which is adapted to cooperate with an arcuate portion |09 formed integrally with gear segment |00 but positioned at a different level, although parallel therewith in a manner clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 8 of the drawings. The arm |08 extends radially from the fixed ratchet portion |00 and is provided with a hook portion at the end thereof. One side of this hook portion is chamfered as indicated at H0 in Fig. 10 of the drawings while the other side provides a vertical plane. When the arm 36 is in its normal position against stop 48, the extension |08 has the vertical plane surface of the hook shaped end against the arcuate portion |09 as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. As the gear segment |04 moves to rotate gear |02 in response to movement of main arm 30, the extension |08 swings around so the chamfered ear portion thereof engages the arcuate portion |09. Actually, the gear segment |04 has a fairly loose fit about its pivot |05 so that some motion in a direction axial with respect to the ratchets and gear is permitted. A spring washer fastened on the end of the shaft 26 biases the gear segment with its arcuate portion |09 toward the turntable However, as the chamfered ear portion ||0 of the extension |08 engages the arcuate portion |09, it raises it against the bias of the spring washer I and the ratchet portion |00 continues to rotate through 360 degrees back to the original position shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Such counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet |00 by engagement with the ratchet |0| permits the chamfered ear portion H0 of extension 08 to raise the gear segment |04 each time it engages the arcuate portion |09. When, however, the moveable arm 36 begins the second half of its operating cycle in returning from the dotted position shown in Fig, 6 of the drawings to its position against the stop 48, the vertical surface opposite the chamfered ear portion H0 engages the arcuate portion |09 so that it is not biased upwardly as during the counterclockwise rotation thereof but instead is held in the fixed position and the teeth of the ratchet |0| slip over the teeth of the ratchet' |00.

Withz-'this arrangemenufitzis :.clearzthatadnring itheliirst' half" cycle of operation:l ofi themaintscon- "trol armi35, 'thezfgear`102 yrotates haft? by :means of-the ratchetportions I0 0. and il 0 IzLthrough '.360 degrees :While during then second.' `halicycle vof operation ,of the control :arm-:36;the-:extension '-I 08 prevents: the nfixed ratchet f portion. Aulla-from rotating so that the ratchet :teeth-arezmoyedapart f against; V.the'.;bias or. :spring I0 Briand gear- #1! 0 2: roztatesY through ".ojdegrafessxinz theireverse:direelztion. v,rmultipvle. ofratchet: teethffsuchitfas, are f'shown; in the'- drawings-.may .causeiam undesirable jclicking noise .duringf-:suclrz-reverse. rotation and that.. is l why, as -was: suggestedrlaboreg;asratchet having only a :singletoothrfmaytzbe desirable.

5 yFrom lthe.. above; descrptiomxitis .olearaahow :the .tonezarm or: pickfup unit; I 21. andfithe recordcre- -lease mechanism are operatedfduringz aflrecord changing cycle iny responseiiftofrmovemen; the .gmainfcontrol armirSILuthQSe tvvolunctior` :being controlledintimed sequence :sothatathe'itonefarm gis; -movediout :ot positionrzbefores. a new.' recordfis irnovedl to" the iplaying:,:position :and .-thenf; subse- -quently yreturned fiorrplaying `or.reproducingntl-1e :new: record. i Suitable z meanssmust'f befzproyided, however,I to.r render.. the :lead'f-outfcamreflectiveaaat :ap desired time'. for? as :long-as armflfa isfbiased .against stop A;11.the.recorda changingrm'echanism :fwill not operate. :In accordance :Withfthezipresent :finventionf suitable meanszare:.providedrfor=giving the yarni 3 6: an impulse orgkick: inafd'ir-ectiom away from: stop" Sto 1ender..,t1'1e:leadeout41 can 1228@ effective whereupon ithe recordxchang-ing cyoleswill .carry'rthrough ito; completion. in.xzgeneralgire sspiralzl sound groove r II 20 `.as .tis/.shown .xineiiligi l -of: .the :drawings for:fguiding-.the :needle of rthe itone varm are-provided' withmeans for increasing the velocity of the.: tone armn-.When .'theiplayings-of fthe'recordhasbeen'completed. Such means may comprise an-:oscillatingfgroove: 'such'.:as isflshovvn wat. I2 I. in'.` Fig.; 1I ors. argroovezwhich irais.: towards v:the center of the record'inuchzmorefrapidlyJ-than Ythe soundizgroove 51.20. Means for. :initiatingthe yoperation of" the' record' changers mechanisms Tof l automatic phonographs have. :beenrfusedrheretofore, which depend uponzthe change mwelocity "of 2 the tonei. arm: as it. eenterszthe. v.osc'illatingi'or :spiral grooveat thezendy of the record. 'zlfewever, ilthes e2 arrangements i have '.-beenfvery complicated, Vunielialolei and'4 generallyfxexpensiveato= manufacrture i In accordance withr'the -presentf'i-nyention, there isfprovided a '."v'elocity-"- trip 'f arrangement which is substantially simpler-ltliarifth@arrange fments".` hitherto used n fori the zsaree'vpurpose 1 and Mtvhi'cl'rdueto its simplicitymay befimanufactured in amore'durable arid-'strong m'anner'i-therieby providing more reliableoperation.

"111 f accordance with the present linventionf :a :velocity trip .lever I 30, 'best .shown iinnfthe Aiperrspectivefview'.ofFigL-Q; .but alsofshownf in FigsI'S, L4,-16 and '7 of .the drawings compriseswa'flever 'fhaving ahorizontal portion-1I fwhichiscpivot- :ably: mounted as iindicated :ati 'I 3 I ..t )"-i'.l1e edges-f .the mainzcontrolfarm.wherebythe Velocity tripraleyer- I'SIl-.is lnormally arranged'in'zpar'aillel yrelationship withthezarm' 3B. .Veloei-tytripvlever 'l 3 0 also'iincludesa:l portion'v ISEIb-rwhi'ch isatf.a"dif ferent-horizontal level' than? the4 portionf Swarid wvlriichrincludes. a 'narrow Rear. portion |32 1fwhich .1 :is formed `froma punchedeout-por-"tion of y"the lever Iihandis positionedzin =a somewhat di'ierent .plane fromzthe. vportionifi 30h. @As.isbestfshov,'n zinflFigs.;` uanolL"7,=1theearportion |32 -isffarther '.away firom.. .the :lunelerside: off fthe-*turntable* than l .thezpiortioni .'If30bcthereni Ar-suitable; spring; -,I 3 3 lintertconnectszthe: portion; 1| 30h. i lever,A rf'w-ith athefxmainccontrolnarm:36. '..These springsdiaye beenshownzin Ei'gsg'aand 7:.to: aid nzunderstandlingothetdisclosureialthough actually' .they;.vvould .nottfbefyisiblezzin thesewiews. f Normallv-t'zthefiveflocityvtripffl'ever I30..=is heldLin. thespositionshown ir1flig ffof-...the :rdrawingsxwith .theeanl I 32 hooked .undenthefportion'oi .the cam follower: tit-extendfingibeyondnpinir. 4 I In.' Lthisposi'tiom. theflugy I 'I on the turntable hu .I 61;-isriree Yto'.rotate'i=\vitl1out eenga'gingfvelocity .'rzt'rip lilever I 30. ,i The 1 portion .',I 3 Ilapof .itl-1e: velocityrtrip "lever |30 1.is'"in'.thei path of.. m-ovementez'of `fthe-fpm 03 `of thetfriction frarm'i 60 imentionedaaabove. 1iAsi;.the1tone. armior pickf-up V.uniti 1| 2 imoyesstowards rthe centerzof` theturn- :tableidueltofithe needle-.associated therewith fol- ;-lowing thefspiraligroove 1| 20'ini the recordsbeing rplayed, friction armlf fmoves with 'the tone arm .'sothatzipirf631moves.dntoaengagementfwith veloctmrtriprlevenwn tending .to move the earl |321` out :from:beneaththe: overhanging. lportion of cam 1follower.ldsishownsinf Fig. '36; 'I EachA rotation: of `turntable `I.| hou/ever, causesk the lug` 'I to engage :.timezz'moving' .friction .arm'l 60' relative to"the1 tone .faiimL-"shaftf: 5 I `As jrlong'f .asi the `tone arm moves l.towardthe' `cer-iter of 2 the' turntable I I1A at fthe' rela- .itiveiyi'slow velocity governedby vthe-sound groove I220,':lug:f :I 'Ilfpreventsffearf 1I 32 fffromAIV moving away ffromcam. follower l|0`for Ain other Words, theear .zzremains inthefpositionshown -in Figfi'of the zdrawings. The rfrictionfz-'ar-n11lv 60 consequently i-moves relativer. to vthe toner arm i becoming more and more near-lyiin.A phase'w'iththe tone armi -I 2, When,.:rhowever;the f-.needle' oft-'the' `pick-11p unit or:.tone.1;arm.' I, 22enters1`the" oscillating` groove? "1| 2 I theltonel armamoves=..to\yarclthe c'enterof the turntableataa muchf ,greater'velocityiand in fact, tithe'v pinf634 ffthefi-'iction armflIlmovesthe=veloc ity'fztripl 30 fout; 'f the position='shoWn"-in "Fig-f6 tintol'the:positon-FshownlinFig; 'Z-of'the drawings Irin' less 'than fonefrevolutionvof the "turntable frwhereby'fflug I 1 #is -i-neiective' to 'prevent such f vaction. JA' suitable "stop,-"not ishown, 'preferably associatedfwiththe-amnfSS limits the movement of the velocity `triplever under .the biasspring 'I33"tothatshown inFigr'? of thedrawings. Itis qui-teobvious" that the portion |3011 of the velocity trip lever |30 `isfnoW inthe path of .the lug I'I so tirati-.upon fthe .nexti' revolutionnf the.' vturntableu I I ,"lug" I Lengages the, portion |3017 of.- the velocity trip lever.' .I 3 0;and pushes. itandthe cam .glgement with the leadfout carn- 29, Wherebyzthe recordchanging cycle.. is initiated. .The :friction '.armlll is reset .toits .desired relative position on .shaftgvl duringthe recordfchanging operation by .engagementrwithafstop extending from the toplmember l0. Arlll/heni the-tone.'` armA 21- moves yto .-fone-side of .the t turntable .during La record changing cycle." friction armfll Lmoves until" it .engagesstop |35. Whentheztone arm-is returned .tofits ',initialg.positionvforv playing a new record, .friction armrf'cl ;-;is substantially in the position .shown'infig. 3fzofthef drawingswith fthe pinv 63 ,adiacentffthe velocity .tripler/er` I 30.

11n view vvof l the detaile'd description 'included rlalefove, .'.theroperation of the record `'changing T-rne'ohan-sm of the-presentinvention' W'ill be obvious and a ydetailed description thereof isideerned unnecessary. The l vVelocitytrip lever Ajust "delscribed' :controlsthe instant vwhen` the spiral leadtout cam? 2051s rrenderdrirectiverwhereupon" the design of the reversely arranged spiral cams on the underside of the turntable causes the arm 36 to pivot rst in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and then in a clockwise direction until it has returned to its initial position against stop 48. During this time, one end of the swinging arm 36 controls the operation of the tone or pick-up arm while the other end controls the record release mechanism, the two devices being controlled in timed sequence with respect to one another.

It will be understood that suitable control means for the automatic phonograph not shown will be provided. Such control means will include a switch for the motor i3 and generally also will include a reject button of some sort for initiating the record changing operation before a record has been completely played or changing records successively without all of these records being played. It will be understood that such a reject button merely needs to provide the arm 36 with an impulse to move it away from stop 48 into engagement with the lead-out cam whereupon the record changing cycle will be initiated. It is obvious from the above discussion that a record changing mechanism for an automatic phonograph or like machine has been provided which is much less complicated than prior art arrangements, which furthermore is positive in operation, readily adaptable for the accommodation of either 10 or 12 inch records and which consists of few parts requiring adjustment. Furthermore, the record changing mechanism is substantially completely disposed beneath the turntable and out of sight to provide for a neat appearance of the automatic phonograph.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed in complete detail so as to ensure a complete understanding of the invention, it is contemplated that details of the disclosed structure are capable of modication and that other applications and features of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Hence, it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such modications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

I claim:

1. Record changing apparatus for a sound reproducing device having a rotary turntable mounted on a fixed support, comprising a pair of oppositely directed spiral grooves formed in said turntable on the underside thereof and deiining respectively a lead-out cam and a lead-in cam, a member pivoted intermediate its endsA to said xed support and having one end thereof disposed adjacent to the underside of said turntable and to one side of the axis of said turntable, a cam follower pivotally mounted to said one end of said member, means on said cam follower adapted to engage either said lead-out cam or said lead-in cam depending upon the pivotal position of said cam follower, means for selectively positioning said cam follower so that said member is caused to pivot in one direction by said leadout cam in response to rotation of said turntable and to move back to its initial position when said lead-in cam is rendered effective, in response to continued rotation of said turntable, and a pair of means one engageable with each end 0f said member to perform the record changing functions in timed sequence in response to the cyclic movement of said member.

2. Record changing apparatus for a sound reproducing device having a rotary turntable mounted on a xed support, a rst groove formed l5 in said turntable on the underside thereof in the form of a spiral of increasing diameter starting a predetermined distance from the center of said turntable and defining a lead-out cam, a second groove formed in said turntable on the underside thereof in the form of a spiral of decreasing diameter starting near the periphery of said turntable and defining a lead-in cam, said grooves having a common portion at the junction thereof, a main control arm mounted to said support for pivotal movement relative thereto with one end thereof positioned adjacent the underside of said turntable and to one side of the axis of said turntable, a cam follower pivoted to and extending transversely of said one end of said arm, a first pin extending from one end of said cam follower toward said lead-out cam so that when in eifective engagement therewith said main control arm moves in one direction in response to rotation of said turntable, a second pin extending from the other end of said cam follower toward said lead-in cam so that when in effective engagement therewith said arm moves in the other direction in response to rotation of said turntable, means effective to engage said first pin with said lead-out cam for rendering said lead-out cam effective to move said arm in said one direction, means responsive to said iirst pin reaching the end of said lead-out cam for disengaging said first pin from said lead-out cam and engaging said second pin with said leadin cam, thereby rendering said lead-in cam effective to return said arm to its initial position in response to continued rotation of said turntable, and means responsive to said second pin reaching the end of said lead-in cam for moving said rst pin so as to be in position for engaging said leadout cam upon a subsequent operation of said means for rendering said lead-out cam effective.

3. In an automatic phonograph which has a movably mounted control arm adapted to perform a cycle of reciprocatory movement whereby a record changing operation is eiiected, a flat turntable having 'on the underside thereof a pair of oppositely directed spiral grooves respectively adapted to cam the control arm forward and back and being bodily displaced radially from each other on the turntable, one of said grooves spiralling from the center toward the outside of the turntable, and the other of said grooves spiralling from the outside toward the center of the turntable, and means adapted to selectively engage said grooves to selectively reciprocate the control arm back and forth.

4. A phonograph turntable as defined in claim 3, wherein the outer end of said one groove communicates with the inner end of said other groove.

5. In a record changing mechanism for an automatic phonograph having a xed support and a turntable rotatably mounted thereon, a main control arm pivotally mounted on said support on the opposite side from said turntable and having an end portion to one side of the axis of said turntable, means including a pair of spiral cams formed on the underside of said turntable and respectively adapted during a record changing cycle to cooperatively be engaged with said end portion of said control cam to move said control arm in cyclic fashion first in one direction and then back to its original position, a cam follower device secured to said end portion of said control arm and having an inactive position and two active positions, said device being eiective when in its first active position to cooperatively engage said control arm with one of said cams and being effective while in its second active position to cooperatively engage said control arm with the other of said cams, means for initiating the cyclic movement of said control arm by causing said cam follower device to assume its rst active position, said spiral cam means including provisions for automatically causing said cam follower device to assume the second active position thereof when it has traversed the first cam, and means responsive to such cyclic movement of said control arm for automatically changing records on said phonograph.

6. Record changingr apparatus for a sound reproducing device having a rotary turntable mounted on a fixed support and a tone arm mounted for pivotal movement across the turntable, comprising a pair of oppositely directed spiral grooves formed in said turntable on the underside thereof and dening respectively a lead-out cam and a lead-in cam, a member pivoted intermediate its ends to said fixed support and having one end thereof disposed adjacent to the underside of said turntable and to one side of the axis of said turntable, a cam follower pivotally mounted to said one end of said member, means on said cam follower adapted to engage either said lead-out cam or said lead-in cam depending upon the pivotal position of said cam follower, trip means responsive to a selected movement of the tone arm for selectively positioning said cam follower so that said member is caused to pivot in one direction by said leadout cam in response to rotation of said turntable and to move back to its initial position when said lead-in cam is rendered effective in response to continued rotation of said turntable, and means engageable with said memberv to perform the record changing functions in timed sequence in response to the cyclic movement of said member.

7. Record changing apparatus for a sound reproducing device including in combination, a flat rotary turntable mounted on a xed support, a tone arm mounted for pivotal movement across the turntable, said turntable having a pair of oppositely directed spiral grooves formed on the underside thereof and defining respectively a lead-out cam and a lead-in cam, a member movably mounted on said fixed support and having a portion thereof disposed adjacent the underside of said turntable and to one side of the axis thereof, cam follower means mounted on said portion of said member having portions movable to first and second positions for engaging respectively said lead-out cam and said lead-in cam, trip means responsive to a selected movement of the tone arm for selectively positioning said engaging portions of said cam follower means to a rst position so that said member is caused to move in one direction by said lead-out cam in response to rotation of said turntable, and to a second position to move said member back to its initial position by said lead-in cam upon continued rotation of said turntable, and means engageable with said member to perform the record changing functions in timed sequence in response tothe cyclic movement of said member.

RUDOLPH A. BECWAR.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 736,972 Johanson Aug. 25, 1903 978,783 Rose Dee. 13, 1910 1,104,760 Abraham July 28, 1914 1,317,257 Adams Sept. 30, 1919 1,505,307 Bennett Aug. 19, 1924 1,970,691 Collison et al Aug. 21, 1934 1,971,238 Silling Aug. 21, 1934 2,235,693 Wells Mar. 18, 1941 2,237,340 Downs Apr. 8, 1941 2,270,179 Wright Jan. 13, 1942 2,307,030 Erwood Jan. 5, 1943 2,328,703 Becwar Sept. 7, 1943 2,330,293 Knox Sept. 28, 1943 2,339,981 Cranmer et al Jan. 25, 1944 2,359,132 Libman Sept. 26, 1944 2,371,362 Small Mar. 13, 1945 2,394,539 Erwood et al Feb. 12, 1946 2,488,137 Morrison Nov. 15, 1949 2,488,260 Ascoli Nov. 15, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 7,422 Great Britain Sept. 29, 1914 

